How to Read Used Car Classified Ads

Classified advertisements for used cars are filled with mysterious abbreviations that can be daunting to a first-time buyer.

Instructions

1

Figure out the type of vehicle it is by checking out these abbreviations. LB: long-bed pickup truck; P/U: pickup truck; XTRA CAB: two small seats or extra room behind the front seats in a pickup truck; WGN: station wagon; HB: hatchback.

2

Find out what kind of shape the car's in when you read these abbreviations. EX COND: excellent condition; G COND: good condition; CLN: clean (in good shape).

3

Know what extras it has with these abbreviations. CASS: stereo system with a cassette tape player; CD: stereo system with a CD player; LTHR: leather interior; LOADED: has all extras and options; MNRF: moonroof/sunroof; S/R or SNRF: sunroof; CONV: convertible top; A/C: air conditioning.

4

Understand how many wheels are being employed when you see the following. FWD: front-wheel drive; RWD: rear-wheel drive; 2 WD: two-wheel drive; 4 WD: four-wheel drive; OD: overdrive; PS: power steering; ABS: anti-lock braking system.

5

Get a good sense of the engine from these notations. CID: cubic inches displacement, which indicates engine size; CC: cubic centimeters, which indicates engine size; DOHC: direct overheat camshaft; EFI: fuel injection; ENG: engine; 3/4/5/6/8 CYL: number of cylinders the engine has; MPG: miles per gallon.

6

Determine if it's standard or automatic transmission by reviewing the following. STD: standard transmission (stick shift); TRANS: transmission; A/T: automatic transmission; 4 SP(D): four-speed manual transmission; 5 SP(D): five-speed manual transmission (has overdrive); 2/4 DR: two or four doors.

7

Consider the price when you see these notes. K: thousands of miles or dollars; BO: best offer; OBO: or best offer. BO and OBO indicate that you can negotiate the price.